More images of these amazing birds. One curious feature is their feet:
http://www.wildnatureimages.com/Wild...fin-Photos.htm
More images of these amazing birds. One curious feature is their feet:
http://www.wildnatureimages.com/Wild...fin-Photos.htm
"I seemed to have sensed also from an early age that some of my experiences as a reader would change me more as a person than would many an event in the world where I sat and read. "
Gerald Murnane, Tamarisk Row
you mean their webbed feet? Why is it curious? Can you elaborate?
Exactly, DW. I didnīt realise they were swimming birds like the ducks, the swans and to some extent the geese.
Last edited by Danik 2016; 11-28-2016 at 11:45 AM.
"I seemed to have sensed also from an early age that some of my experiences as a reader would change me more as a person than would many an event in the world where I sat and read. "
Gerald Murnane, Tamarisk Row
The Swedish nature programme Mitt i Naturen had an item about the almost extinct Mountain Duck. It is being reintroduced to its original North Norrland habitat. Some 50 pairs have been flows there by helicopter and are being released there. Here are some google images of this rare bird.
EarthSky have just published an item about the changes being observed in this type of land (it's Alaska, but the Norrland mountains look just like this, too).
The Outer Hebrides 4-part TV Programme also looked at the impact of crofting on nature. what is "crofting"? This website from the Scottish Crofting Federation explains: http://www.crofting.org/faqs/67.Originally Posted by Dreamwoven
Small-scale crofting is usually considered as being environmentally friendly. This makes it an extra asset to the Hebrides. Crofters leave parts of their lot fallow, which becomes a haven for many wild flowers. Crofters also use the seaweed abundant in the Hebrides as a natural fertiliser., spreading it on their land.
What is a croft?
A croft is a small agricultural unit, most of which are situated in the crofting counties in the north of Scotland being the former counties of Argyll, Caithness, Inverness, Ross & Cromarty, Sutherland, Orkney and Shetland, and held subject to the provisions of the Crofting Acts.
Many crofts are on estates. A landlord may have many crofts on his estate. The rent paid by the tenant crofter, except in fairly rare circumstances, is only for the bare land of the croft, for the house and agricultural buildings, roads and fences are provided by the crofter himself. Since 1976 it has become more common for a crofter to acquire title to his croft, thus becoming an owner-occupier. Should he fail to reside on or near the croft, he can himself be required to take a tenant.
The Hebrides programme interviewed a beekeeper who keeps bees for their honey, and also to help replenish their honey bee stocks, which have declined as a result of large-scale farming methods. See, for example http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...e-epa-science/
See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crofting.
Another very varied gallery of bird pictures:
http://www.pbase.com/mobish/all_duck_geese_swan_species
"I seemed to have sensed also from an early age that some of my experiences as a reader would change me more as a person than would many an event in the world where I sat and read. "
Gerald Murnane, Tamarisk Row
The magpie is generally considered to be among the most intelligent animals in the world. I've seen them in pairs taking turns to feed while the other looks on, then switching roles so they both get a turn at the food.
Saw a TV documentary on Emperor Penguins. Living in Antarctic both parents take care of the chick in turn, feeding the chick with partly digested fish. The hardest part is when the parents leave the chick to fend for itself.
I've been reading a novel set in the Outer Orkney isles of remote western Scotland, beyond the Isle of Skye. Skye is the furthest west I've been. Never been to the Outer Orkneys so it makes an interesting read, by Peter May The Black House, Quercus (2011). There is a chapter on a gannet colony of An Sgeir. They collect chicks, usually the middle one which was at a particular stage of development. It's dangerous work and using a rigged up system of pulleys to shift the chicks. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_gannet for more details.
The March of the Penguins. Complete French documentary about their life cicle spoken in English.
10/10.
http://docur.co/documentary/march-of-the-penguins
Last edited by Danik 2016; 01-05-2017 at 02:23 PM.
"I seemed to have sensed also from an early age that some of my experiences as a reader would change me more as a person than would many an event in the world where I sat and read. "
Gerald Murnane, Tamarisk Row
That's an amazing sight, Danik. I never knew Emperor Penguins migrated. Nor that they could travel such distances also on their bellies. I wonder if all penguins do this or just Emperors? I will view the entire 1.5 hours, but in manageable portions.
I saw the movie in the cinema, spoken in French with Portuguese undertitles. I usually prefer fiction to documentarys but this one is very moving. But 1.5 on a small screen is a tough watch, I agree. I hope you enjoy this Penguin Odissey!
"I seemed to have sensed also from an early age that some of my experiences as a reader would change me more as a person than would many an event in the world where I sat and read. "
Gerald Murnane, Tamarisk Row
I was transfixed, and watched the whole through before late afternoon. What an amazing film, the rearing, feeding, and knife-edge survival in the harshest conditions imaginable, success or failure can mean one day is too late.
The experience is one I won't forget. Thank you Danik!
I am glad you enjoyed it! I remember my own emotions. One almost forgets that it is a documentary. I thought the French narrator more atmospheric though.
"I seemed to have sensed also from an early age that some of my experiences as a reader would change me more as a person than would many an event in the world where I sat and read. "
Gerald Murnane, Tamarisk Row
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